Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,185 |
a quick look showed one on craigslist in the Bay Area for $9.5K.
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177 |
Quote:
I know they are ugly as sin, but how about a 3 to 4 year old Honda Element? Based on the Civic platform, they are "somewhat" compact, but amazingly versatile. With the swing-out rear doors, loading & unloading the little ancle biter will be a snap.
Slideshow with the rear door open
OK, I must have really been asleep when I posted this morning.... I'm sorry - ANKLE biter. Maybe I should have kept to rug rat.
Shawn
Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125 I think I'm developing an addiction.
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
An Element's worth considering. Part of the problem is that here in the Bay Area, Hondas are a tad overpriced.
Anyone have any feelings about VW Golfs or Jettas?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Check the used car lemon guide and you will find the author says to stay away from VW's. The Toyota Matrix has a little larger back seat area than the Corolla. We managed to get the same seat into one when we were looking for a new car but it was tight, ended up getting an Escape instead, lots more back seat room, more than the full size quad cab pick ups. A used Escape could be had for about the price you are looking for.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467 |
Scion xB?
*shutter*
I would look into a saturn. They have great gas milage and have a good amount of space in the back.
M22s|VP100|QS4s|HSU STF2
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,349
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,349 |
I would be leery of a used VW/Audi product. VW went through a dark period for reliability a few years back, and have only recently begun to emerge (some will argue that they still have too many problems).
I like the others' suggestion of a Honda Element, but they have only been out for a couple of years so it might be hard to find one for under $10k. You could check out a Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, or Subaru Forester. Those are all generally very reliable, roomy little SUV's that have plenty of room in the back that have been on the market for long enough to find some good deals. My father-in-law has a 2000 Toyota RAV-4 with somewhere around 130k miles and it still seems pretty well screwed together. It's needed oil changes, new tires once, a new battery, and a couple of mufflers, and that's it. It's never burned a drop of oil or otherwise had any problems. I've had personal experiences with several Subaru products (and old Legacy, '00 Forester, '05 Outback, '05 WRX) and they've all been pretty amazing as far as reliability goes, thus my recommendation for them. Subarus are generally very safe but also quite fun-to-drive vehicles that are darn near unstoppable in the snow, if that's a concern. They hold their resale value pretty well, but not quite to the extent on Honda, so I bet you could find a nice deal on a lightly used Outback or Forester from just a couple of years ago.
If you get a Ford Escape, watch out for transmission problems. When I owned a Mazda Tribue (same thing) from 03-05, I spent time on various owner forums. There were a lot of complaints related to transmission and brake problems. I have no idea if it's been fixed in later years, so please research it rather than just taking my word for it.
FWIW, I bought a brand new '03 Mazda Tribute (same thing as an Escape) in early 2003, and it was on its third transmission when I traded it in at 24k miles back in '05. The first one was replaced at about 8k miles, and the second one started making noises and was repalced again at about 20k miles. Otherwise, it was a pretty nice vehicle. My only other complaint was the very SUV-like gas mileage that about 14 city / 20 highway mpg (V6, AWD).
Last edited by PeterChenoweth; 03/28/07 07:29 PM.
M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2 SVS Pci+ 20-39 Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1 M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 946 Likes: 2
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 946 Likes: 2 |
Ken, One thing to keep in mind is once your little bundle of joy gets a little bigger it becomes more difficult to lift them into the car seat. My son is a big kid and it was quite difficult for my wife to lift him into the car seat in her 4 door chevy. Getting in and out of the vehicle without wrenching your back is most important!
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
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Yeah... I should probably be clear that our primary car is a Volvo 850 wagon, so that's what the kid will be in most of the time. I just need to be able to drive the small car (I'm 5'10") comfortably if the car seat happens to be in that one. It would have fit fine in our '91 Civic. Sigh...
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 973
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: May 2003
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Ken, might i recommend a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am GT....great car, in fact so perfect, you won't even notice that it is only a 2 door with little/no room in the back seat. It's cheap too (and good on gas)! Hey whatdya know, i think i know someone that might just have one of those cars.....
"Chickens don't clap."
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Re: Small, cheap car with a big backseat?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
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Nice try, dude.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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